Genealogy

The library collects family histories, township histories, gazetteers and city directories, published marriage and cemetery records, land and tax records, and census records for Oakland County for 1845 and 1860.

We have some additional material relating to surrounding counties in southeastern Michigan, and have a large collection of materials on the Civil War.

The library also has research method books, books on heraldry and family names, journals of several genealogical societies (including the Oakland County Genealogical Society), as well as newsletters from local historical societies.

Among the library’s special aids for genealogy researchers are obituaries that can be found in two card files: the May Rockwell Howlett Collection and the Faye Donelson Collection, as well as in several obituary scrapbooks.